Economy
Financial Experts Have Explained How to Short Crypto on the Market in 2023
Can You Short Cryptocurrencies? – Contrary to popular belief, shorting cryptocurrencies is possible. While short selling is traditionally associated with the stock market, cryptocurrency exchanges now facilitate shorting options. Traders can take advantage of this opportunity by focusing on cryptocurrencies with high liquidity and consistent trading volumes to minimize the risk of price manipulation. Cryptocurrency markets are known for their volatility, making it challenging to predict price movements. However, by employing short-selling techniques, investors can profit from falling prices without owning the underlying assets. In this article, TU experts explore how to short crypto, including the risks involved and the best strategies to implement.
In simple terms, what does it mean to short cryptocurrency?
Shorting cryptocurrency involves borrowing digital currency from a broker and selling it at the current market price. After the cryptocurrency’s value decreases, the trader buys it back and repays the borrowed funds plus interest to the broker. The profit is the margin between the purchase and sale prices of the crypto.
Shorting Cryptocurrency: Different Ways to Do It
There are various options for shorting crypto. Among them, analysts at Traders Union particularly emphasize the following ones:
- Margin Trading: Borrowing funds to enter short positions on cryptocurrency exchanges.
- Short-Selling Bitcoin Assets: Selling Bitcoin with the expectation of buying it back at a lower price.
- Using Bitcoin CFDs: Trading contracts for difference (CFDs) based on the price fluctuations of Bitcoin.
- Futures Market: Engaging in futures contracts that allow investors to short cryptocurrencies.
- Binary Options Trading: Speculating on whether the price of a cryptocurrency will increase or decrease within a predetermined time period.
- Prediction Markets: Participating in platforms that enable users to bet on the outcome of future events.
To discover the main pros and cons of the above options, read the article prepared by TU.
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Short Crypto
Traders Union experts suggest following their Step-by-Step Guide on shorting crypto. Here is a summarized version of the guide:
- Select a reliable cryptocurrency exchange and proceed to register for an account.
- Deposit funds using various methods, including debit/credit cards, bank transfers, or cryptocurrencies.
- Conduct a thorough market analysis to inform your short-selling decisions.
- Select the specific cryptocurrency you wish to short from the derivatives section of the exchange.
- Execute the short position, specifying the desired amount and adhering to risk management principles.
- Maintain a disciplined approach by following your risk management plan throughout the short-selling process.
Risks and Opportunities of Shorting Cryptocurrency
Shorting cryptocurrencies presents both advantages and risks. On the positive side, it allows investors to profit from overvalued assets and hedge against potential market downturns. However, TU analysts note that price volatility and the lack of regulation in the cryptocurrency futures market pose significant risks. Analysts particularly underscore the importance of conducting comprehensive market research and carefully consider these risks before engaging in short-selling activities.
Cryptocurrency Short-Selling Strategies
To maximize the effectiveness of short-selling, experts suggest traders employ the following strategies:
- Technical and Fundamental Analysis: Combine historical price data and trading volume analysis (technical) with an evaluation of a cryptocurrency’s long-term potential (fundamental).
- Diversification: Short a variety of cryptocurrencies to diversify your holdings and mitigate the impact of potential losses.
- Short-Term Shorting: Take short positions for brief periods, known as scalping, to capitalize on quick profits. This strategy requires a high tolerance for risk and a solid understanding of market conditions.
- Caution for Beginners: Shorting cryptocurrencies carries significant risk, making it unsuitable for inexperienced traders. Consider adopting a more conservative approach, such as buying and holding, when starting out.
Conclusion
Short-selling cryptocurrencies can be a lucrative strategy for experienced traders, but it comes with inherent risks. Using borrowed funds amplifies these risks, so Traders Union analysts recommend implementing proper risk management practices, including the use of stop losses. Beginners are advised to exercise caution and gain a thorough understanding of market dynamics before attempting short-selling strategies.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The Debt Management Office (DMO) on Monday allotted bonds worth N929.3 billion to investors from the N1.7 trillion bids it received from subscribers.
The exercise, which took place on Monday, July 20, 2026, was oversubscribed by market participants, reflecting the confidence investors have in the government’s ability to redeem the debt instrument on maturity.
On offer for sale for the July auction was N1.2 trillion worth of the FGN bonds, but the DMO allotted below this, despite receiving bids above the offer.
The papers were offered in 10-year, 15-year, and 20-year tenors, at N400 billion each.
For the decade-old note, investors staked N444.47 billion, but the debt office sold N245.73 billion at an 18.34 per cent coupon rate. For the one and a half-decade-old paper, bids valued at N518.00 billion were received by the DMO, with a non-competitive bid of N50.00 billion, with N302.13 billion allotted to investors at 18.40 per cent, and for the two-decade paper, the DMO got competitive bids of N665.19 billion and N381.46 billion was sold to bondholders at 18.35 per cent.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Yemi Cardoso, disclosed that Nigeria’s external reserves had risen to $52.5 billion, enough to finance about nine months of imports.
He disclosed this on Tuesday at the end of the 306th meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) held in Abuja, where the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) retained the benchmark interest rate at 26.50 per cent as well as the standing facilities corridor at +50/-450 basis points around the MPR.
Similarly, the Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) was maintained at 45 per cent for Deposit Money Banks, 16 per cent for Merchant Banks, and 75 per cent for non-Treasury Single Account (TSA) public sector deposits.
Speaking on FX developments, the central banker said at the $52 billion level, the country’s external reserves were significantly above the internationally recommended threshold of three months of import cover.
On the Naira exchange rate, Mr Cardoso said the foreign exchange market had deepened and was now operating on a transparent willing-buyer, willing-seller basis.
He said the apex bank remained committed to maintaining a liquid and functional foreign exchange market, adding that daily market turnover sometimes exceeded $1 billion.
According to him, the long-term stability of the naira would depend on key economic fundamentals, including increased oil exports, foreign direct investment, and improved domestic productivity to reduce dependence on imports.
He also added that the MPC welcomed the federal government’s renewed commitment to stronger policy coordination, particularly collaboration between fiscal and monetary authorities, which he said had helped reduce the impact of the Middle East crisis on the Nigerian economy.
Mr Cardoso said members of the committee also commended efforts to improve crude oil production and urged relevant agencies to intensify reforms in other sectors, including solid minerals, to boost government revenue.
On the regulatory forbearance granted to banks during the COVID-19 period, he reiterated that this had been discontinued because it had served its purpose.
According to him, the policy had “outlived its time” and was no longer necessary in assessing the health of the banking sector.
“Forbearance, we felt, had outlived its time. Many of you will recall this is something that came as a result of COVID. And now we are in 2026; we did not see the reason why that should continue to form part of the analysis of the banking system,” he said.
Mr Cardoso explained that banks had begun recalibrating their portfolios following the end of the policy, leading to a temporary reduction in outstanding risk assets.
He, however, assured that the development was part of a transition towards a stronger and more sustainable credit environment.
“It reflects a transition to a more sustainable and better quality credit environment, which is what we all want. We don’t want unanticipated shocks that come in a boom-and-bust fashion,” he said.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange extended its recent positive run by 1.17 per cent on Tuesday, July 21, triggered by appreciation seen in four bellwethers.
Leading the pack was FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc, which added N12.00 to its value to close at N153.15 per share compared with the previous day’s N141.15 per share. NASD Plc appreciated by N1.90 to N36.00 per unit from N34.10 per unit, Food Concepts Plc improved by 23 Kobo to N2.48 per share from N2.25 per share, and Afriland Properties Plc grew by a marginal 1 Kobo to N15.01 per unit from N15.00 per unit.
As a result, the market capitalisation of the bourse increased by N30.40 billion to N2.637 trillion from Monday’s N2.606 trillion, and the NASD Security Index (NSI) gained 50.70 points to finish at 4,393.97 points, in contrast to the 4,343.27 points it ended a day earlier.
The unlisted securities exchange recorded a price loser yesterday, and it was Geo-Fluids Plc, which shed 1 Kobo to settle at N2.30 per share versus N2.31 per share.
During the trading day, the volume of securities traded by market participants on Tuesday dropped 99.4 per cent to 322,147 units from the previous day’s 52.6 million units, the value of securities dipped by 89.8 per cent to N19.4 million from the preceding session’s N191.2 million, and the number of deals contracted by 3.6 per cent to 27 deals from 28 deals.
Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) Plc ended the day as the most traded stock by value on a year-to-date basis, with 3.4 billion units traded for N8.4 billion, followed by Infrastructure Credit Guarantee (Infracredit) Plc with 2.3 billion units transacted for N6.5 billion, and Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc with 75.4 million units exchanged for N5.3 billion.
GNI Plc also closed the day as the most traded stock by volume on a year-to-date basis, with 3.4 billion units worth N8.4 billion, followed by Infracredit Plc with 2.3 billion units valued at N6.5 billion, and Resourcery Plc with 1.1 billion units sold for N415.7 million.
